Hello from the Brocks in Rapid City, South Dakota! It has been one year since we made the big move from Northwest Indiana to our new ministry at Liberty Baptist Tabernacle in the beautiful Black Hills, and the Lord has been so good in that time. Our new church family immediately welcomed us with open arms and we felt at home from the very first service we attended. We were grateful to see our children quickly settle in to a new home, church, and school. Almost immediately upon arrival in July 2021, we began working to prepare for a new school year. It was a very important year for us, as it was Mary’s first year ever teaching kindergarten while simultaneously working with high school students in chemistry and geometry, and a time when Tyler was being trained in the responsibilities he would assume when becoming principal of the Christian school. We had some ups and downs as the school year progressed, but one of the greatest blessings of the whole year was seeing two students saved. One was an 11th grade young man who was not part of our church. After his salvation, he asked if we would begin picking him up for church. It was a joy to see him come to church and watch him grow as he would sit at his desk reading his Bible when he had extra time. We ended the school year with a very special retirement ceremony for Tyler’s dad, who has been the principal for the last 26 years. Tyler has some big shoes to fill!! As we head into the 2022-2023 school year, we covet your prayers. More than great gains in education, we would love to see spiritual growth in our students.
Along with ministering in the school, we enjoy being of help in various other aspects of the church ministries. A highlight for our whole family is the yearly Vacation Bible School. This year our children invited our neighbors and prayed that they would come. They were so thrilled to see God answer their prayers as our neighbors attended the whole week of VBS! We also help in the church’s van ministry, which helps many children in the area get the opportunity to be at church. Another ministry that we all are a part of is the music ministry, whether through piano playing, choir, and singing special music together as a family. It is a blessing to be a part of a growing and thriving church.
The Lord has been blessing us as a family through this year of many transitions. We are often overwhelmed by his goodness. Nehemiah is 10 and heading into 5th grade, which is so hard to believe! Cassia is 7 and in 2nd grade. We praise the Lord for her recent salvation and baptism. It has been a big year for her with different treatments for her cleft palate and it will be continuing for a while longer, ending with an extensive surgery. Levi is 6 and entering the big world of 1st grade! Julia just had her 4th birthday and is looking forward to doing some preschool work this year with grandma! It is our desire to raise them to love the Lord and be excited to serve him with their lives. Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
